PryItFromMyColdDeadHands
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This is from an email from Georgiacarry.org :
Augusta Chronicle Reports Increasing Gun Permits
Don't miss the probate judge's quote!
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/02/01/met_509842.shtml
There's one market that seems to be proving bullet proof when it comes to the recession: guns.
Throughout Richmond and Columbia counties, officials say they're seeing high numbers of people applying for gun permits, and one seller says demand is so high he can hardly get his orders in fast enough.
"The handguns are just blowing out," said Paul Gray, the owner of American Sportsman, located on Washington Road. "We're getting 10 a day and selling 15."
Mr. Gray said he's got people from all walks of life coming in.
"We just can't get 'em fast enough," he said, adding that even manufacturers and distributors are selling out.
Nationwide, the number of background checks requested for guns through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System also has increased in the past year, from 11.1 million checks in 2007 to 12.7 million in 2008, according to the system's official Web site.
Some customers at American Sportsman have told Mr. Gray they're concerned the Obama administration might place restrictions on guns. According to the president's policy, as spelled out on the White House Web site, Mr. Obama favors "commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment right of gun owners." He also supports childproofing guns and making permanent the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban.
Amid a faltering economy, people also might be looking to keep a closer eye on their valuables.
"I just think the American consumer is very concerned about their property and safety," Mr. Gray said. "People are buying guns that never have before."
Columbia County Probate Judge Pat Hardaway said she's also seeing the trend at her office, where the number of gun permits more than doubled last year, jumping from 841 in 2007 to 1,695 last year.
Her office issued 201 permits in January. In December, they oversaw 247, "the most we have ever issued in one month," she said.
Judge Hardaway has her own theory about why the increase in permits is occurring.
"Maybe the relaxing of some of Georgia' s gun laws caused the increase," she stated in an e-mail, referring to a change last year granting gun owners greater rights. "... Gun sales are up as well. Maybe everybody just feels the need to be armed."
Even the judge is part of the trend.
"I have a new Glock," she stated.
In Richmond County, the increase in gun permits started a couple years ago.
Sandra Blount, the firearms license clerk for Richmond County Probate Court, said that a couple years ago her office was averaging about 700 gun permits a year. In 2007, they registered 1,215 permits. She said that number held steady at 1,216 the past year.
"It has taken off," she said.
Augusta Chronicle Reports Increasing Gun PermitsDon't miss the probate judge's quote!
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/02/01/met_509842.shtml
There's one market that seems to be proving bullet proof when it comes to the recession: guns.
Throughout Richmond and Columbia counties, officials say they're seeing high numbers of people applying for gun permits, and one seller says demand is so high he can hardly get his orders in fast enough.
"The handguns are just blowing out," said Paul Gray, the owner of American Sportsman, located on Washington Road. "We're getting 10 a day and selling 15."
Mr. Gray said he's got people from all walks of life coming in.
"We just can't get 'em fast enough," he said, adding that even manufacturers and distributors are selling out.
Nationwide, the number of background checks requested for guns through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System also has increased in the past year, from 11.1 million checks in 2007 to 12.7 million in 2008, according to the system's official Web site.
Some customers at American Sportsman have told Mr. Gray they're concerned the Obama administration might place restrictions on guns. According to the president's policy, as spelled out on the White House Web site, Mr. Obama favors "commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment right of gun owners." He also supports childproofing guns and making permanent the expired federal Assault Weapons Ban.
Amid a faltering economy, people also might be looking to keep a closer eye on their valuables.
"I just think the American consumer is very concerned about their property and safety," Mr. Gray said. "People are buying guns that never have before."
Columbia County Probate Judge Pat Hardaway said she's also seeing the trend at her office, where the number of gun permits more than doubled last year, jumping from 841 in 2007 to 1,695 last year.
Her office issued 201 permits in January. In December, they oversaw 247, "the most we have ever issued in one month," she said.
Judge Hardaway has her own theory about why the increase in permits is occurring.
"Maybe the relaxing of some of Georgia' s gun laws caused the increase," she stated in an e-mail, referring to a change last year granting gun owners greater rights. "... Gun sales are up as well. Maybe everybody just feels the need to be armed."
Even the judge is part of the trend.
"I have a new Glock," she stated.
In Richmond County, the increase in gun permits started a couple years ago.
Sandra Blount, the firearms license clerk for Richmond County Probate Court, said that a couple years ago her office was averaging about 700 gun permits a year. In 2007, they registered 1,215 permits. She said that number held steady at 1,216 the past year.
"It has taken off," she said.
